b. 24/08/1921 Bronx County, New York. d. 07/04/1994 Plainview, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 12/05/1944 near Mount Damiano, Italy.
Charles W Shea MOH
Shea joined the Army from his birthplace of New York City in July 1942, and by May 12, 1944, he was serving as a second lieutenant in Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. On that day, near Mount Damiano, Italy, he single-handedly disabled three German machine-gun nests. He was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on January 12, 1945. He had already received the Medal a month earlier on December 1, 1944 in Montecani, Italy from Lt. General Mark Clark.
After the war, Shea joined the New York National Guard in 1949 and retired with the rank of Colonel in 1972.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on 12 May 1944, near Mount Damiano, Italy. As 2d Lt. Shea and his company were advancing toward a hill occupied by the enemy, three enemy machine guns suddenly opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties upon the company and halting its advance. Second Lt. Shea immediately moved forward to eliminate these machine-gun nests in order to enable his company to continue its attack. The deadly hail of machine-gun fire at first pinned him down, but boldly continuing his advance, 2d Lt. Shea crept up to the first nest. Throwing several hand grenades, he forced the four enemy soldiers manning this position to surrender, and disarming them, he sent them to the rear. He then crawled to the second machine-gun position and after a short firefight forced two more German soldiers to surrender. At this time, the third machine gun fired at him, and while deadly small-arms fire pitted the earth around him, 2d Lt. Shea crawled toward the nest. Suddenly he stood up and rushed the emplacement and with well-directed fire from his rifle, he killed all three of the enemy machine gunners. Second Lt. Shea’s display of personal valor was an inspiration to the officers and men of his company.
BURIAL LOCATION: LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY, FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK.
SECTION DSS, GRAVE 71A.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
